OMNIedge Skill Management AI Solution Now Available: Centralized Management and Visualization of Personnel Skill Data to Dramatically Boost Efficiency of Skill Management

THK CO., LTD. (Headquarters: Minato, Tokyo; CEO: Akihiro Teramachi; hereinafter referred to as “THK”) and Skillnote Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda, Tokyo; CEO: Takafumi Yamakawa; hereinafter referred to as “Skillnote”) have entered into a partnership. On December 1, 2023, they released the Skill Management AI Solution, a new solution from the OEE (overall equipment effectiveness) optimization system OMNIedge that integrates with the Skillnote skill management system.

This service unifies the equipment maintenance and sensor data centralized in OMNIedge with the personnel skill data managed by Skillnote. In addition to optimizing the assignment of personnel who handle production equipment, this combination helps users establish strategic, data-based talent development and equipment maintenance plans.
In recent years, efforts have been underway to improve the productivity of manufacturing equipment in factories by way of automation and predictive maintenance through the use of sensor data. However, various challenges regarding the management and development of personnel who handle equipment have also become apparent. For instance, labor shortages may increase the number of machines that each individual is in charge of. An increasingly advanced level of operating and maintenance skills may be required to handle the increasing complexity or age of equipment. Alternatively, expertise may not be passed down when the veteran employees who are knowledgeable about those machines retire. As many of these issues remain untouched and there is a need to reduce losses associated with manufacturing facilities and equipment, companies are looking to solve these problems through digitalization.
That is why THK and Skillnote are providing a service that enables businesses to leverage data and achieve more comprehensive management by combining skill and equipment maintenance data that indicates which employees can operate or maintain which machines, and to what degree. This will reduce losses arising from equipment and personnel in addition to maximizing OEE.

Features

Centralizes equipment maintenance data and skill data of personnel who handle equipment

The system centralizes skill data and equipment maintenance data, including real-time sensor detection, so you can see and update the latest information on one screen.

High-speed matching of capable people and tasks

The system recommends the best person to handle a machine-related task based on skill data, and you can assign them within the system. This lets you issue repair and maintenance instructions to the best person for the job based on their skills and experience whenever you need to respond to a predicted machine failure, swap a component, or handle machine trouble. You can also assign the optimal person when scheduling planned equipment maintenance.

Formulates training plans and keeps track of progress

All aspects of the training process can be accomplished through this system, including drafting individualized training plans, registering and approving training, and automatically conferring skills based on that training. This facilitates strategic talent development in response to increasingly complex and aging equipment, and it supports the transmission of departing veteran employees’ skills.

Future developments

A feature that will automatically draft data-based equipment maintenance plans is in the works. Other features under consideration include recommendations to strengthen training efforts for equipment with few qualified handlers and automated updating of skill levels based on the actual results of equipment maintenance.

OEE Optimization System OMNIedge

OMNIedge is a system for reducing loss that occurs on the manufacturing floor and maximizing overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Phase 1: Predictive failure detection AI solution for linear motion components
Phase 2: Predictive failure detection AI solution for rotary components
Phase 3: Tool monitoring AI solution
Phase 4: Skill management AI solution (NEW)

OMNIedge Website

https://www.thk.com/omniedge/en/

Skill management system Skillnote

Skillnote is a cloud service that centralizes the management of skill maps used in manufacturing, which have traditionally been maintained in software like Excel. Registering and visualizing the skill and training data of a factory on the cloud enables you to systematically develop and arrange personnel using skill data. It also helps you solve the personnel management challenges plaguing the manufacturing industry with regard to transmitting knowledge, cross-training, and rapid onboarding.

THK CO., LTD. overview

Company name:	THK CO., LTD.
Location:	2-12-10 Shibaura, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Established:	April 1971
Capital:	¥34.66 billion
CEO:	Akihiro Teramachi
Description:	THK was the first company in the world to develop the LM Guide, which is based on an original concept and innovative technology. Within the mechatronics sector, the LM Guide is used as an essential machine component and has varied industrial applications. THK also develops, produces, and supplies to the world a range of other machine components, including ball splines, ball screws, and link balls.
Website:	https://www.thk.com/jp/en/

Skillnote Corporation overview

Based on the vision of “Realize a world where all workers can grow and have a fulfilling career,” Skillnote aims to create a society where science is applied to the growth of human resources in manufacturing and everyone in the industry can thrive.

Company name:	Skillnote Corporation
Location:	KANDA SQUARE 11F, 2-2-1 Kanda-nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Established:	January 2016
Capital:	¥924.76 million (including capital reserves)
CEO:	Takafumi Yamakawa
Description:	Skillnote provides the Skillnote skill management system, which is targeted at the manufacturing industry.
Website:	https://www.skillnote-global.com/en/

* The company and product names that appear in this press release are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
* The information contained in this press release is current as of the date of publication.

Note) This information was originally released in Japanese on November 29, 2023.

Contact information

Contact for media inquiries

THK CO., LTD. Marketing & Public Relations Unit
Contacts: Toru Nakagawa & Akio Ishikawa
Phone: +81-3-5730-3845
E-mail: thk-sp@thk.co.jp

Skillnote Corporation
PR Representative
E-mail: pr@skillnote.co.jp